Advice on dealing with occasional extreme anxiety

[extinctspecies]

Just came onto the board & see there are loads of anxiety threads, but can't see anything directly relevant to my situation.
I'm generally a fairly self-confident person, but as I've got older have occasionally had bouts of extreme anxiety which stops me sleeping.
This week was very bad. I had an important work meeting on a new project with a new client, followed by a long journey I had to do later in the day. I knew inside it would all be OK.
But I knew I would have trouble sleeping the night before so took 2 Over the counter sleeping tablets - still hardly slept a wink. Massive anxiety during the night, multiple trips to the loo, very thirsty.
Had to get through a v. challenging day feeling like shit. But it was all OK as I knew deep down it would be.
I have tried many things to deal with the anxiety -
took up running 6 months ago, eat healthily, cut down on alcohol, now on HRT, etc. And over the counter sleeping remedies.
But can't seem to stop these occasional very stressful reactions to events (work-related).
I think there may be 3/4 other things I could try and would love to know if anyone else has tried them.

1. Beta blockers from GP.
2. Finding a therapist for CBT (luckily I can afford to go private).
3. Meditation classes
4. Acupuncture.

Any advice gratefully received. I need to work, and be on good form when I work, as I am self-employed.

Have a look at Moodjuice online and then on their anxiety self help booklet. It's from the Scottish NHS and one if the best self help guides I've come across. I use it with some of my clients (counselling).

Meditation and mindfulness exercises will help. You could also try Headspace which is a good online resource.

I completely empathise as suffer with the same extreme anxiety from time to time. Less so as I'm embracing mindfulness and learning about Buddhism which is all helping a lot.

I now realise that my brain spins off with stories at these times which take over from reality. Mindfulness helps by bringing my thoughts back to the present moment.

Thanks a lot for the advice both, I will take a look at what you suggest.